FUNDING FOR WREATHS ON VETERAN GRAVESITES

Senate Memorial 23 requests the Legislative Finance Committee consider allocating state funds in 2027 to cover the annual cost of placing wreaths on all 79,000 veteran gravesites at Santa Fe National Cemetery, estimated at $1.34 million ($17 per wreath). Currently, volunteers and families sponsor wreaths through donations, but this memorial seeks to transition the effort to sustainable state funding. It directly affects veterans buried at Santa Fe National Cemetery and aims to ensure every grave receives a wreath annually. This non-binding request does not create new law but asks the committee to evaluate funding options.